Imagine the cost of cooling down the roomy S.A. house used for Season 9 of “Top Chef: Texas” during those 100-plus temps!

“Between $8,000 and $9,000 a month,” owner Jimmy Day revealed, explaining that they cranked the air all the way down, to keep the 16 chef-testants and crew comfortable. Moreover, all those lights and cameras had to be accommodated.

The Italian villa-style, $2.2 million Monte Vista home will begin playing a bigger role now that all chef-testants have moved in.

S.A. millionaire Day, who is currently living with his wife Jennifer and youngest child in New Mexico, said he was glad to lease his house – at 112 E. Lynwood – to “Top Chef.” “I didn’t drive a hard bargain,” he said, declining to disclose the actual amount because of a written promise to the production company. “I knew the exposure would be great for San Antonio.”

He clearly is proud of the house, which he said was built in 1923 in the style of an authentic Italian villa. “It was a thrill for ‘Top Chef’ to get into a home with so much character,” he said, explaining that the show didn’t want to go overboard on the Texas kitsch, and yet wanted something authentic that represented San Antonio in the 1920s.

In fact, the production company told him “It was the best house they ever had,” Day said.

Something viewers should watch out for? “Near the pool,” he said. “There’s a very large outdoor fireplace with a tall limestone chimney. You can put a five-foot log in there. A few yards away is a 15-foot-tall antique fountain that was imported from France.”

In other words, it’s a setting made for reality show theatrics – and Day said viewers likely won’t be disappointed.

“They said they had the best, most dramatic scene that they ever filmed in that courtyard. I think they did some cooking and maybe had some real drama going on.”

But at least it didn’t get too heated inside the house with so much cool air wafting through. “The electric bill was higher than any I’ve ever seen,” Day said. “But that’s OK,” he said, “I wasn’t paying it.”

For more photos of “Top Chef” house go to Jennifer Day’s design Website here.